Battery control system, battery controller, battery control method and program

ABSTRACT

Provided is a battery control system including a power generation unit that generates electric power from renewable energy as an energy source, a battery storing the electric power, a power generation amount estimation unit that estimates a generation amount of electric power generated by the power generation unit, based on estimation information in which a renewable energy amount available to the power generation unit is estimated, a power consumption amount estimation unit that estimates power consumption, a determination unit that determinates whether or not electric power is to be stored in the battery, based on a storage amount of the battery, the generation amount of electric power and the amount of power consumption, and a power acquisition unit that acquires electric power to be stored in the battery, when, as a result of determination by the determination unit, electric power is to be stored in the battery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a battery control system, a batterycontroller, a battery control method and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, efforts to drastically reduce greenhouse gases areunderway in all parts of the world. Under such a circumstance, it isnecessary to introduce renewable energy such as wind power and sunlighton a large scale.

Nowadays, in order to generate electric power from renewable energy asan energy source, introduction of a photovoltaic power generation panelto a residential building or the like, that is, introduction of aphotovoltaic power generation panel to a household is being made inJapan. And in case of a household in which a photovoltaic powergeneration panel has been introduced, electric power generated by thephotovoltaic power generation panel has been used in the household, orsurplus electric power has been sold to an electric power company.

However, it gradually becomes difficult for an electric power company topurchase electric power, because the electric power company can notgrasp an amount of electric power generated at each household, becausethe number of the household that wishes to sell electric power isincreasing, because an electric power supplying system gets unstable,and so on.

If an electric power company does not purchase electric power, surpluselectric power in each household will be wasted. Alternatively, surpluselectric power will be stored and used. When surplus electric power isstored in each household, a battery for storing electric power is to beintroduced to each household. Further, when an electric power companywishes to purchase electric power not immediately but later, a batteryis to be introduced to each household in order to store electric powergenerated by a photovoltaic power generation panel. Moreover, when eachhousehold possesses an electric vehicle or the like, a battery such as alithium-ion battery, which is used in an electric vehicle or the like,may be introduced.

Against this background, a system is proposed which is capable ofperforming centralized control of an amount of electric power generatedby an independent power supply device utilizing multiple natural energysources, as a carbon dioxide reduction amount and promoting theprevention of global warming (Kyoto Protocol) (see JP-A-2006-285728, forexample). Further, a power supply system is proposed which constantlysupplies safe, earth-friendly and enough electric power by use of a fuelcell that utilizes photovoltaic power generation and hydrogen (seeJP-A-2002-135980, for example).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Incidentally, when a battery is introduced in a residential building orthe like, namely, when a battery is introduced in a household, thebattery needs to be efficiently controlled in each household. Forexample, it is necessary to efficiently control how electric powerstored in the battery is to be used, at which timing electric powerstored in the battery is to be sold to an electric power company, atwhich timing electric power stored in the battery is to be bought froman electric power company, whether electric power is to be generated,and so on.

At present, as control for a battery introduced in a residentialbuilding or the like, only display of current storage state of a batteryand display of carbon dioxide emissions on a display panel is performed.

In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a battery controlsystem, a battery controller, a battery control method and a programwhich are novel and improved, and which are capable of efficientlycontrolling a battery introduced in a residential building or the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided abattery control system including a power generation unit that generateselectric power from renewable energy as an energy source, a battery forstoring the electric power, a power generation amount estimation unitthat estimates a generation amount of electric power generated by thepower generation unit, based on estimation information in which arenewable energy amount available to the power generation unit isestimated, a power consumption amount estimation unit that estimates anamount of electric power consumption, a determination unit thatdeterminates whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery, based on a storage amount of the battery, the generation amountof electric power and the amount of power consumption, and a poweracquisition unit that acquires electric power to be stored in thebattery, when, as a result of determination by the determination unit,electric power is to be stored in the battery.

The battery control system may further include a storage amountinformation acquisition unit that acquires storage amount information ofthe battery from the battery, and an estimation information acquisitionunit that acquires the estimation information from the outside.

The power consumption amount estimation unit may estimate an amount ofelectric power consumption based on an amount of electric powerconsumption in the past.

The power consumption amount estimation unit may estimate an amount ofelectric power consumption based on at least one of input informationand schedule information, which have been input by a user.

The power acquisition unit may purchase electric power to be stored inthe battery.

The power acquisition unit may generate electric power to be stored inthe battery by a generator.

The power generation unit may generate electric power from sunlightenergy as an energy source.

The power generation unit may generate electric power from wind power asan energy source.

The battery may be a battery mounted on an electric vehicle.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a battery controller including a power generation amountestimation unit that estimates a generation amount of electric powergenerated by a power generation unit, based on estimation information inwhich an available renewable energy amount is estimated, a powerconsumption amount estimation unit that estimates an amount of electricpower consumption, a determination unit that determinates based on astorage amount of a battery for storing the electric power, thegeneration amount of electric power and the amount of electric powerconsumption, whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery, and a power acquisition unit that acquires electric power to bestored in the battery, when, as a result of determination by thedetermination unit, electric power is to be stored in the battery.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a battery control method, including the steps of estimating ageneration amount of electric power generated by a power generationunit, based on estimation information in which an available renewableenergy amount is estimated, estimating an amount of electric powerconsumption, determining whether or not electric power is to be storedin a battery, based on a storage amount of the battery, the generationamount of electric power and the amount of electric power consumption,and acquiring electric power to be stored in the battery, when, as aresult of determination at the step of determining, electric power is tobe stored in the battery.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a program for causing a computer to function as a powergeneration amount estimation unit that estimates a generation amount ofelectric power generated by a power generation unit, based on estimationinformation in which an available renewable energy amount is estimated,a power consumption amount estimation unit that estimates an amount ofelectric power consumption, a determination unit that determinates basedon a storage amount of a battery for storing the electric power, thegeneration amount of electric power and the amount of electric powerconsumption, whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery, and a power acquisition unit that acquires electric power to bestored in the battery, when, as a result of determination by thedetermination unit, electric power is to be stored in the battery.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a battery control system including a power generation unit thatgenerates electric power from renewable energy as an energy source, abattery for storing the electric power, an acquisition unit thatacquires information about a generation amount of electric powergenerated by the power generation unit, the generation amount ofelectric power being estimated based on estimation information in whicha renewable energy amount available to the power generation unit isestimated, a power consumption amount estimation unit that estimates anamount of electric power consumption, a determination unit thatdeterminates based on a storage amount of the battery, the informationabout a generation amount of electric power, and the amount of electricpower consumption, whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery, and a power acquisition unit that acquires electric power to bestored in the battery, when, as a result of determination by thedetermination unit, electric power is to be stored in the battery.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a battery controller including an acquisition unit thatacquires information about a generation amount of electric powergenerated by a power generation unit, the generation amount of electricpower being estimated based on estimation information in which anavailable renewable energy amount is estimated, a power consumptionamount estimation unit that estimates an amount of electric powerconsumption, a determination unit that determinates based on a storageamount of a battery for storing the electric power, the informationabout a generation amount of electric power, and the amount of electricpower consumption, whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery, and a power acquisition unit that acquires electric power to bestored in the battery, when, as a result of determination by thedetermination unit, electric power is to be stored in the battery.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a battery control method, including the steps of acquiringinformation about a generation amount of electric power generated by apower generation unit, the generation amount of electric power beingestimated based on estimation information in which an availablerenewable energy amount is estimated, estimating an amount of electricpower consumption, determining based on a storage amount of a battery,the information about a generation amount of electric power, and theamount of electric power consumption, whether or not electric power isto be stored in the battery, and acquiring electric power to be storedin the battery, when, as a result of determination by the determinationunit, electric power is to be stored in the battery.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a program for causing a computer to function as an acquisitionunit that acquires information about a generation amount of electricpower generated by a power generation unit, the generation amount ofelectric power being estimated based on estimation information in whichan available renewable energy amount is estimated, a power consumptionamount estimation unit that estimates an amount of electric powerconsumption, a determination unit that determinates based on a storageamount of a battery for storing the electric power, the informationabout a generation amount of electric power, and the amount of electricpower consumption, whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery, and a power acquisition unit that acquires electric power to bestored in the battery, when, as a result of determination by thedetermination unit, electric power is to be stored in the battery.

According to the embodiments of the present invention described above,it is possible to efficiently control a battery introduced in aresidential building or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram mainly illustrating a generalconfiguration of a battery control system according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of acontrol unit of the battery control system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of first battery control processing that isperformed by the battery control system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for specifically explaining the firstbattery control processing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of second battery control processing that isperformed by the battery control system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an inputscreen displayed on a display unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an inputscreen displayed on a display unit of a PC, a mobile phone, or the like;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an inputscreen displayed on a display unit of a PC, a mobile phone, or the like;and

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for specifically explaining the secondbattery control processing of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

Explanation will be made in the following order.

1. Battery control system

2. Functional configuration of control unit

3. First battery control processing

4. Second battery control processing

[1. Battery Control System]

First, a battery control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram mainly illustratinga general configuration of a battery control system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a battery control system 1000 includes a photovoltaic powergeneration panel 104, which is installed on a roof 102 of a residentialbuilding 100, a battery 106, which is placed inside of a residentialbuilding 100, a control unit 108, a power distribution unit 110, aninput unit 112, a display unit 114 and a communication unit 116.Besides, the battery 106, the control unit 108, the power distributionunit 110, the input unit 112, the display 114 and the communication unit116 may be placed outside of the residential building 100.

The photovoltaic power generation panel 104 is an example of the powergeneration unit of the present invention, and generates electric powerby receiving sunlight 120 from the sun 118. Namely, the photovoltaicpower generation panel 104 generates electric power from renewableenergy as an energy source. The power distribution unit 110 distributeselectric power. Besides, the power distribution unit 110 may be dividedinto two units, that is, a direct-current power distribution unit and analternating-current power distribution unit. The battery 106 storeselectric power. Electric power generated by the photovoltaic powergeneration panel 104 is stored in the battery 106 via the powerdistribution unit 110. Moreover, Electric power generated by thephotovoltaic power generation panel 104 may be directly stored in thebattery 106.

The control unit 108 controls the power distribution unit 110, the inputunit 112, the display unit 114 and the communication unit 116. The inputunit 112 receives an operation input by a user such as a resident of thebuilding 100. The display unit 114 displays various information to auser. Besides, the input unit 112 and the display unit 114 may be formedin an integrated manner and it may be, for example, a touch panel. Thecommunication unit 116 controls communication with the outside.

The control unit 108 can communicate via the communication unit 116 witha server (cloud server) 124 connected to the Internet 122, the server124 including a storage unit 128. Further, the control unit 108 canpurchase electric power from an electric power company 128 via the powerdistribution unit 110. The control unit 108 can store electric power,purchased from the electric power company 112, in the battery 106 viathe power distribution unit 110. The control unit 108 can sell electricpower stored in the battery 106 to the electric power company 128 viathe power distribution unit 110. Furthermore, the control unit 108 cancause a generator 130 to generate electric power, by controlling thegenerator 130 via the power distribution unit 110.

The generator 130 generates electric power using natural gas or hydrogensupplied from a fuel supply company 132 such as a gas company. Further,the generator 130 may generate electric power using kerosene, propanegas, liquid nitrogen, high-compressed hydrogen, or the like, which isstored in a fuel tank 134. Furthermore, the generator 130 may generatehot water from cold water using heat generated at the generation ofelectric power, and may store the hot water in a water storage unit 136.

Besides, in the present embodiment, the battery control system 1000includes the battery 106 placed inside of the building 100. However, thebattery control system 1000 may use, instead of the battery 106, abattery 140 of an electric vehicle 138. It should be understood that, inthe explanation hereafter, the battery 106 may also include the battery140 appropriately. Moreover, in this example, the battery 106 isexplained simply as a battery, but what is meant by a battery in a broadsense is every device or system that is capable of storing electricenergy in some way and outputting the electric energy on demand.Detailed examples include a currently available storage batteryrepresented by a lithium-ion battery, a nickel hydride battery, a leadstorage battery and a NAS battery, a storage battery that would becomeavailable in the future, a high-capacitance capacitor represented by aelectric double layer capacitor, a transformation system for electricenergy and potential energy of water, represented by pumped storagepower generation (bringing up water to high altitude by electric energycorresponds to charge of electricity, and guiding water to low altitudeand generating electric power by rotating a turbine with water flowcorresponds to discharge of electricity), a mutual transformation systembetween electric power and hydrogen, which is suggested in ahydrogen-recycling-based society (electrolysis of water by electricenergy corresponds to charge of electricity, and generating electricpower by rotating a turbine while burning hydrogen, or generatingelectric power using a fuel cell corresponds to discharge ofelectricity).

[2. Functional Configuration of Control Unit]

Next, the control unit 108 of the battery control system 1000 in FIG. 1will be explained. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functionalconfiguration of the control unit 108 of the battery control system 1000in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, the control unit 108 includes an acquisition unit 142, aphotovoltaic power generation amount estimation unit 144, a powerconsumption amount estimation unit 146, a determination unit 148 and apower acquisition unit 150.

The acquisition unit 142 acquires storage amount information indicatinga current storage amount of the battery 106 from the battery 106. Theacquisition unit 142 acquires via the communication unit 116 sunshineduration estimation information indicating estimated solar irradiationduration of daytime, from the storage unit 126 of the server 124connected to the internet 122. The acquisition unit 142 acquires userinput information which is generated by an operation input of a user viathe input unit 112. The acquisition unit 142 acquires via thecommunication unit 116 schedule information which is input by a user byuse of a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, or the like (notshown), from the storage unit 126 of the server 124 connected to theinternet 122.

The photovoltaic power generation estimation unit 144 estimates aphotovoltaic power generation amount of the photovoltaic powergeneration panel 104, based on sunshine duration estimation informationacquired by the acquisition unit 142. The power consumption amountestimation unit 146 estimates an amount of electric power consumption,based on an operation input of a user via the input unit 112, namely, anoperation input which is made by a user each time, and on informationabout an amount of electric power consumption in the past, stored in astorage unit (not shown) of the battery control system 1000. Moreover,the power consumption amount estimation unit 146 may estimate an amountof electric power consumption, based on user information acquired by theacquisition unit 142, namely, user input information as well as scheduleinformation that have been previously input by a user, and oninformation about an amount of electric power consumption in the past,stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the battery control system 1000.Further, the above sunshine duration estimation information may beinformation indicating “how many hours a solar panel is irradiated”.Alternatively, the above sunshine duration estimation information may beaccumulated irradiation amount information indicating how intense lightirradiates a solar panel during a predetermined time period.Furthermore, an accumulated irradiation amount may be divided by areference irradiation amount so as to be re-converted into theirradiation duration. Furthermore, it may be that, by causing a user toinput a power generation efficiency value of a solar panel or causingthe acquisition unit 142 to automatically send the value to the server124, the server 124 calculates to an expected power generation amountand feeds back to the acquisition unit 142. In this case, thephotovoltaic power generation amount estimation unit will not benecessary.

The determination unit 148 determines whether or not an amount ofelectric power to be stored to the battery 106 should be increased, bycomparing an amount that is obtained by adding the storage amountindicated by the storage amount information of the battery 106, which isacquired by the acquisition unit 142, and the photovoltaic powergeneration amount of the photovoltaic power generation panel 104, whichis estimated by the photovoltaic power generation amount estimation unit144, with the amount of electric power consumption estimated by thepower consumption amount estimation unit 146. When it is determined, asa result of determination by the determination unit 148, that a storageamount is to be increased, the power acquisition unit 150 purchaseselectric power from the electric power company 128 via the powerdistribution unit 110, and/or, causes the generator 130 to generateelectric power, via the power distribution unit 110 so as to storepurchased electric power or generated electric power in the battery 106.

[3. First Battery Control Processing]

Next, first battery control processing that is performed by the batterycontrol system 1000 in FIG. 1 will be explained. FIG. 3 is a flow chartof the first battery control processing that is performed by the batterycontrol system 1000 in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram forspecifically explaining the first battery control processing of FIG. 3.The present processing may be performed after receiving an operationinput of a user via the input 112, or may be performed at apredetermined time or at a predetermined time interval.

In FIG. 3, first, the acquisition unit 142 of the control unit 108acquires storage amount information indicating a current storage amountof the battery 106, via the power distribution unit 110 from the battery106 (step S302).

Next, the acquisition unit 142 of the control unit 108 acquires via thecommunication unit 116 sunshine duration estimation informationindicating estimated solar irradiation duration, from the storage unit126 of the server 124 connected to the interne 122 (step S304).

Next, the photovoltaic power generation estimation unit 144 of thecontrol unit 108 estimates a photovoltaic power generation amount of thephotovoltaic power generation panel 104, based on the sunshine durationestimation information acquired at the step S304 (step S306).

Next, the power consumption amount estimation unit 146 of the controlunit 108 estimates an amount of electric power consumption, based on anoperation input of a user via the input unit 112 and information aboutan amount of electric power consumption in the past, stored in a storageunit (not shown) of the battery control system 1000 (step 308). Besides,at the step S308, when the electric vehicle 138 is used, an amount ofelectric power consumption is estimated in consideration of an amount ofelectric power consumption of the electric vehicle 138.

Next, the determination unit 148 of the control unit 108 determineswhether or not an amount of electric power to be stored to the battery106 should be increased, by comparing an amount that is obtained byadding the storage amount indicated by storage amount information of thebattery 106, acquired at the step S302, and the photovoltaic powergeneration amount of the photovoltaic power generation panel 104,estimated at the step S306, with the amount of electric powerconsumption estimated at the step S308 (step S310).

When it is determined, as a result of determination at the step S310,that a amount of electric power to be stored in the battery 106 shouldbe increased (at the step S310, YES), the power acquisition unit 150 ofthe control unit 108 either purchases electric power from the electricpower company 128 via the power distribution unit 110 or causes thegenerator 130 to generate electric power, via the power distributionunit 110 so as to store purchased electric power or generated electricpower in the battery 106 (step S312).

Here, an amount of electric power with which the battery 106 isadditionally charged varies depending on various kinds of conditions. Asan example of this, the battery 106 is to be charged in such a mannerthat an amount obtained by adding the storage amount of the battery 106at a certain time point and the photovoltaic power generation amount ofthe photovoltaic power generation panel 104 on the same day is equal toor more than the amount of electric power consumption on the same day.As a result, when it has exceeded the battery capacity, as a matter ofcourse, upper limit should be set to full capacity of the battery. Onthe other hand, even if it is determined, as a result of the abovedetermination, that electric power should not be stored, when it isexpected that the storage amount will be reduced to 0 in any time zoneof daytime because a large number of air conditioners will be actuallyused during the day due to the heat and so on, it is recommendable tocharge the battery 106 in advance with an extra amount of electric powerthat wound be wanted. Consequently, surplus electric power might be leftin the battery at the evening on the same day, but the electric powermay be used on or after the following day, causing therefore no problem.In this manner, determination how much electric power is to be storedand so on should be performed in consideration of the battery capacity,the time period (time) during which a determination condition isexamined, variation in purchase price of electric power according to thetime, or the like. A criterion for determining other than that shown inthis example is also absolutely acceptable.

When it is determined, as a result of determination at the step S310,that an amount of electric power to be stored in the battery 106 shouldnot be increased (step S310, NO), or after processing at the step 312has been performed, the present processing is terminated.

According to the first battery control processing of FIG. 3, whenelectric power to be stored in the battery 104 is set to be eitherpurchased from an electric power company 128 or generated by thegenerator 130, for example, in a case where the amount that is obtainedby adding the storage amount of the battery 106 and the photovoltaicpower generation amount of the photovoltaic power generation panel 104is fewer than the amount of electric power consumption, a needed amountof electric power will be constantly stored in the battery 106. Thereby,it is possible to efficiently control the battery 106 introduced in theresidential building 100 or the like.

Moreover, when the first battery control processing of FIG. 3 isperformed at time point A in FIG. 4, namely, after midnight on December24, the storage amount of the battery 106 is approximately 50 percent asshown in FIG. 4. However, because the estimated photovoltaic powergeneration amount of the photovoltaic power generation panel 104 islarge, an amount of electric power to be purchased is set to be low atthe step S312. Further, when the first battery control processing ofFIG. 3 is performed at time point B in FIG. 4, namely, before midnighton December 25, the storage amount of the battery 106 is approximately60 percent as shown in FIG. 4. However, because the estimatedphotovoltaic power generation amount of the photovoltaic powergeneration panel 104 is low, an amount of electric power to be purchasedis set to be large at the step S312. Moreover, electric power ispurchased in FIG. 4, but the identical amount of electric power may begenerated, without purchasing electric power.

Besides, in the first battery control processing of FIG. 3, whenelectric power is purchased from the electric power company 128 at thestep S312, it is recommendable to purchase electric power in the timezone during which electric power is cheap with regard to a carbon tax orthe like. Further, as a result of the determination at the step S310,when the amount that is obtained by adding the storage amount of thebattery 106 and the photovoltaic power generation amount of thephotovoltaic power generation panel 104 is equal to or more than theamount of electric power consumption, surplus electric power stored inthe battery 106 may be sold to the electric power company 128. However,when selling electric power, it is recommendable to sell electric powerin the time zone during which selling price of electric power is high.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the battery control system 1000includes the photovoltaic power generation panel 104. However, thebattery control system 1000 may include, instead of the photovoltaicpower generation panel 104 or in addition to the photovoltaic powergeneration panel 104, a wind power generator (not shown). If such is thecase, at the step S304 in the first battery control processing of FIG.3, wind speed estimation information is acquired from the storage unit126 of the server 124, and at the step S306, a wind power generationamount is estimated based on the wind speed estimation information.Further, at the step S310, the amount that is obtained by adding thestorage amount of the battery 106 and the photovoltaic power generationamount of the photovoltaic power generation panel 104, and/or, the windpower generation amount of the wind power generator is compared with theamount of electric power consumption. Thereby, it is possible toefficiently control the battery 106 introduced in the residentialbuilding 100 or the like, also when a wind generator is provided.

[4. Second Battery Control Processing]

Next, second battery control processing that is performed by the batterycontrol system 1000 in FIG. 1 will be explained. FIG. 5 is a flow chartof the second battery control processing that is performed by thebattery control system 1000 in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagramfor specifically explaining the second battery control processing ofFIG. 5. The present processing may be performed after receiving anoperation input of a user via the input 112, or may be performed at apredetermined time or at a predetermined time interval.

In FIG. 5, first, the acquisition unit 143 of the control unit 108acquires storage amount information indicating a current storage amountof the battery 106, via the power distribution unit 110 from the battery106 (step S502).

Next, the acquisition unit 142 of the control unit 108 acquires via thecommunication unit 116 sunshine duration estimation informationindicating estimated solar irradiation duration, from the storage unit126 of the server 124 connected to the interne 122 (step S504).

Next, the photovoltaic power generation amount estimation unit 144 ofthe control unit 108 estimates a photovoltaic power generation amount ofthe photovoltaic power generation panel 104 during the day, based on thesunshine duration estimation information acquired at the step S504 (stepS506).

Next, the acquisition unit 142 of the control unit 108 acquires userinput information generated by an operation input of a user via theinput unit 112 (step S508). For example, an input screen 152 as shown inFIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 114. A user may set via theinput unit 112 a date 154, the number of visitors 156, duration ofvisitor's stay 158, the number of persons at home 160 and duration ofstay at home 162 on the input screen 152. Namely, user input informationacquired at the step S508 includes, for example, date information,information about the number of visitors, information about duration ofvisitor's stay, information about the number of persons at home andinformation about duration of stay at home.

Next, the acquisition unit 142 of the control unit 108 acquires via thecommunication unit 116 schedule information which was input by a user byuse of a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, or the like (notshown), from the storage unit 126 of the server 124 connected to theinterne 122 (step S510). For example, an input screens 164 as shown FIG.7 or an input screen 182 as showed in FIG. 8 is displayed on a displayunit (not shown) of a PC, a mobile phone, or the like. A user may setvia an input unit (not shown) of a PC, a mobile phone, or the like adate 166, time 168, 170, a schedule 172, the number of visitors 174 andvisitor's attributes 176, 178 and 180 on the input screen 164. Also, auser may set via an input unit (not shown) of a PC, a mobile phone, orthe like a date 184, time 186, 188, a schedule 190, the number ofpersons 192 and attributes of persons being not at home 194, 196 and 198on the input screen 182. Namely, schedule information acquired at thestep S510 includes, for example, date information, time information,schedule information, information about the number of visitors andinformation about a visitor's attribute. Further, schedule informationacquired at the step S510 includes, for example, date information, timeinformation, schedule information, information about the number ofpersons and information about an attribute of a person being not athome. Moreover, at the step S510, schedule information may be acquiredfrom a storage unit (not shown) of the battery control system 1000. Ifsuch is the case, the battery control system 1000 serves as a schedulesystem managed by the server 124 as described above.

Next, the power consumption amount estimation unit 146 of the controlunit 108 estimates an amount of electric power consumption, based onuser input information acquired at the step 508 and schedule informationacquired at the step S510 as well as information about a amount ofelectric power consumption in the past, stored in a storage unit (notshown) of the battery control system 1000 (step S512). For example, atthe step S512, an amount of electric power consumption including anamount of electric power consumption due to a receiving a visitor isestimated, based on information about the number of visitors andinformation about duration of stay included in user input information.Also, at the step S512, an amount of electric power consumptionincluding an amount of electric power consumption due to stay at home isestimated, based on information about the number of persons at home andinformation about duration of stay at home included in user inputinformation. Further, at the step S512, an amount of electric powerconsumption including an amount of electric power consumption due toreceiving a visitor is estimated, based on time information, informationabout the number of visitors and information about a visitor's attributeincluded in schedule information. Furthermore, at the step S512, anamount of electric power consumption is estimated in which an amount ofelectric power that will be not consumed due to non-stay at home isdeducted, based on time information, information about the number ofpersons and information about an attribute of a person being not at homeincluded in schedule information. Here, Information about an amount ofelectric power consumption in the past relates to a variance value of apower amount due to receiving a visitor or due to non-stay at home asdescribed above, or the like. For example, based on the scheduleinformation described above, actual values each indicating to whatextent a power amount has varied are accumulated and a variance value ofa power amount is calculated from, for example, an average value ofaccumulated actual values, and so on. Besides, at the step S512, when anelectric vehicle 138 is used, an amount of electric power consumptionincluding an amount of electric power consumption of the electricvehicle 138 is estimated.

Next, the determination unit 148 of the control unit 108 determineswhether or not an amount of electric power to be stored in the battery106 should be increased, by comparing the amount that is obtained byadding the storage amount indicated by storage information of thebattery 106, acquired at the step S502, and the photovoltaic powergeneration amount of the photovoltaic power generation panel 104,estimated at the step S506, with the amount of electric powerconsumption estimated at the step S512 (step S514).

When it is determined, as a result of determination at the step S14,that an amount of electric power to be stored in the battery 106 shouldbe increased (step S514, YES), the power acquisition unit 150 of thecontrol unit 108 either purchases electric power from the electric powercompany 128 via the power distribution unit 110 or causes the generator130 to generate electric power, via the power distribution unit 110 soas to store purchased electric power or generated power in the battery106 (step S516).

When it is determined, as a result of the determination at the stepS514, that an amount of electric power to be stored in the battery 106should not be increased (step S514, NO), or after the processing at thestep S516 has been performed, the present processing is terminated.

According to the second battery control processing of FIG. 5, whenelectric power to be stored in the battery 104 is set to be eitherpurchased from an electric power company 128 or generated by thegenerator 130, for example, in a case where the amount that is obtainedby the storage amount of the battery 106 and the photovoltaic powergeneration amount of the photovoltaic power generation panel 104 isfewer than the amount of electric power consumption, a needed amount ofelectric power will be constantly stored in the battery 106. Thereby, itis possible to efficiently control the battery 106 introduced in theresidential building 100 or the like.

Further, because an amount of electric power consumption is estimatedbased on use input information and schedule information, it is possibleto perform more accurate estimation of an amount of electric powerconsumption in contrast to the first battery control processingdescribed above.

Besides, when the second battery control processing is performed at timepoint C in FIG. 5, namely, after midnight on December 24, the storageamount of the battery 106 is approximately 30 percent as shown in FIG.9. However, when the estimated photovoltaic power generation amount ofthe photovoltaic power generation panel 104 is large and a user has alsoset a schedule to leave home on December 24, an estimated amount ofelectric power consumption decreases, so that electric power is notpurchased at the step S516. Further, when the second battery controlprocessing is performed at time point D in FIG. 5, namely, beforemidnight on December 25, the storage amount of the battery 106 isapproximately 70 percent as shown in FIG. 9. However, when the estimatedphotovoltaic power generation amount of the photovoltaic powergeneration panel 104 is low and a user has also set a schedule toreceive a visitor on December 25, an estimated amount of electric powerconsumption increases, so that an amount of electric power to bepurchased is set to be large at the step S516. Moreover, electric poweris purchased in FIG. 9, but the identical amount of electric power maybe generated, without purchasing electric power.

Besides, in the second battery control processing of FIG. 5, whenelectric power is purchased from the electric power company 128 at thestep S516, it is recommendable to purchase electric power in the timezone during which electric power is cheap with regard to a carbon tax orthe like. Further, as a result of determination at the step S514, whenthe amount that is obtained by adding the storage amount of the battery106 and the photovoltaic power generation amount of the photovoltaicpower generation panel 104 is equal to or more than the amount ofelectric power consumption, surplus electric power stored in the battery106 may be sold to the electric power company 128. However, when sellingelectric power, it is recommendable to sell electric power in the timezone during which selling price of electric power is high.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the battery control system 1000includes the photovoltaic power generation panel 104. However, thebattery control system 1000 may include, instead of the photovoltaicpower generation panel 104 or in addition to the photovoltaic powergeneration panel 104, a wind power generator (not shown). If such is thecase, at the step S504 in the second battery control processing of FIG.5, wind speed estimation information is acquired from the storage unit126 of the server 124, and at the step S506, a wind power generationamount is estimated based on the wind speed estimation information.Further, at the step S514, the amount that is obtained by adding thestorage amount of the battery 106 and the photovoltaic power generationamount of the photovoltaic power generation panel 104, and/or, the windpower generation amount of the wind power generator is compared with theamount of electric power consumption. Thereby, it is possible toefficiently control the battery 106 introduced in the residentialbuilding 100 or the like, also when a wind generator is provided.

Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may be also implementedby providing a system or a device with a recoding medium storing programcodes of software that realizes functions of the above embodiments andby causing the computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or thedevice to read out and to execute the program codes stored in therecoding medium.

In this case, the program codes itself, which is read out from therecoding medium, realize functions of the above embodiments, and theprogram codes and the recoding medium storing the program codesconstitute the present invention.

Further, as a recoding medium for providing program codes, for example,a floppy disk (registered trademark), a hard disk, a magneto-opticaldisk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, aDVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, and a DVD+RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memorycard, a ROM, or the like may be used. Alternatively, program codes maybe downloaded via a network.

Furthermore, functions of the above embodiments may be realized not onlyby executing program codes read out by a computer, but also by causing,based on instructions of such program codes, an operating system (OS)running on the computer to perform a part or whole parts of actualprocessing.

Moreover, functions of the above embodiments may be realized, afterprogram codes read out from a recoding medium are written into a memorywhich is provided on an extension board inserted into a computer orwhich is provided in an extension unit connected to a computer, bycausing, based on instructions of such program codes, a CPU or the likeprovided on the extension board or in the extension unit to perform apart or whole parts of actual processing.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

The present application contains subject matter related to thatdisclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2009-279820 filedin the Japan Patent Office on Dec. 9, 2009, the entire content of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

1. A battery control system comprising: a power generation unit thatgenerates electric power from renewable energy as an energy source; abattery for storing the electric power; a power generation amountestimation unit that estimates a generation amount of electric powergenerated by the power generation unit, based on estimation informationin which a renewable energy amount available to the power generationunit is estimated; a power consumption amount estimation unit thatestimates an amount of electric power consumption; a determination unitthat determinates whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery, based on a storage amount of the battery, the generation amountof electric power and the amount of power consumption; and a poweracquisition unit that acquires electric power to be stored in thebattery, when, as a result of determination by the determination unit,electric power is to be stored in the battery.
 2. The battery controlsystem according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage amountinformation acquisition unit that acquires storage amount information ofthe battery from the battery; and an estimation information acquisitionunit that acquires the estimation information from the outside.
 3. Thebattery control system according to claim 1, wherein the powerconsumption amount estimation unit estimates an amount of electric powerconsumption based on an amount of electric power consumption in thepast.
 4. The battery control system according to claim 1, wherein thepower consumption amount estimation unit estimates an amount of electricpower consumption based on at least one of input information andschedule information, which have been input by a user.
 5. The batterycontrol system according to claim 1, wherein the power acquisition unitpurchases electric power to be stored in the battery.
 6. The batterycontrol system according to claim 1, wherein the power acquisition unitgenerates electric power to be stored in the battery by a generator. 7.The battery control system according to claim 1, wherein the powergeneration unit generates electric power from sunlight energy as anenergy source.
 8. The battery control system according to claim 1,wherein the power generation unit generates electric power from windpower as an energy source.
 9. The battery control system according toclaim 1, wherein the battery is a battery mounted on an electricvehicle.
 10. A battery controller comprising: a power generation amountestimation unit that estimates a generation amount of electric powergenerated by a power generation unit, based on estimation information inwhich an available renewable energy amount is estimated; a powerconsumption amount estimation unit that estimates an amount of electricpower consumption; a determination unit that determinates based on astorage amount of a battery for storing the electric power, thegeneration amount of electric power and the amount of electric powerconsumption, whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery; and a power acquisition unit that acquires electric power to bestored in the battery, when, as a result of determination by thedetermination unit, electric power is to be stored in the battery.
 11. Abattery control method, comprising the steps of: estimating a generationamount of electric power generated by a power generation unit, based onestimation information in which an available renewable energy amount isestimated; estimating an amount of electric power consumption;determining whether or not electric power is to be stored in a battery,based on a storage amount of the battery, the generation amount ofelectric power and the amount of electric power consumption; andacquiring electric power to be stored in the battery, when, as a resultof determination at the step of determining, electric power is to bestored in the battery.
 12. A program for causing a computer to functionas a power generation amount estimation unit that estimates a generationamount of electric power generated by a power generation unit, based onestimation information in which an available renewable energy amount isestimated; a power consumption amount estimation unit that estimates anamount of electric power consumption; a determination unit thatdeterminates based on a storage amount of a battery for storing theelectric power, the generation amount of electric power and the amountof electric power consumption, whether or not electric power is to bestored in the battery; and a power acquisition unit that acquireselectric power to be stored in the battery, when, as a result ofdetermination by the determination unit, electric power is to be storedin the battery.
 13. A battery control system comprising: a powergeneration unit that generates electric power from renewable energy asan energy source; a battery for storing the electric power; anacquisition unit that acquires information about a generation amount ofelectric power generated by the power generation unit, the generationamount of electric power being estimated based on estimation informationin which a renewable energy amount available to the power generationunit is estimated; a power consumption amount estimation unit thatestimates an amount of electric power consumption; a determination unitthat determinates based on a storage amount of the battery, theinformation about a generation amount of electric power, and the amountof electric power consumption, whether or not electric power is to bestored in the battery; and a power acquisition unit that acquireselectric power to be stored in the battery, when, as a result ofdetermination by the determination unit, electric power is to be storedin the battery.
 14. A battery controller comprising: an acquisition unitthat acquires information about a generation amount of electric powergenerated by a power generation unit, the generation amount of electricpower being estimated based on estimation information in which anavailable renewable energy amount is estimated; a power consumptionamount estimation unit that estimates an amount of electric powerconsumption; a determination unit that determinates based on a storageamount of a battery for storing the electric power, the informationabout a generation amount of electric power, and the amount of electricpower consumption, whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery; and a power acquisition unit that acquires electric power to bestored in the battery, when, as a result of determination by thedetermination unit, electric power is to be stored in the battery.
 15. Abattery control method, comprising the steps of: acquiring informationabout a generation amount of electric power generated by a powergeneration unit, the generation amount of electric power being estimatedbased on estimation information in which an available renewable energyamount is estimated; estimating an amount of electric power consumption;determining based on a storage amount of a battery, the informationabout a generation amount of electric power, and the amount of electricpower consumption, whether or not electric power is to be stored in thebattery; and acquiring electric power to be stored in the battery, when,as a result of determination by the determination unit, electric poweris to be stored in the battery.
 16. A program for causing a computer tofunction as an acquisition unit that acquires information about ageneration amount of electric power generated by a power generationunit, the generation amount of electric power being estimated based onestimation information in which an available renewable energy amount isestimated; a power consumption amount estimation unit that estimates anamount of electric power consumption; a determination unit thatdeterminates based on a storage amount of a battery for storing theelectric power, the information about a generation amount of electricpower, and the amount of electric power consumption, whether or notelectric power is to be stored in the battery; and a power acquisitionunit that acquires electric power to be stored in the battery, when, asa result of determination by the determination unit, electric power isto be stored in the battery.